President Donald Trump’s theatrics, tantrums, lies and corruption are no longer just an American distraction or worrisome inconvenience, it’s a crisis for every citizen of the United States and for democracies around the globe.
Trump’s four-week trail of tribulations since Jan. 20 reads like an air-tight case for impeachment and removal. It warrants the full attention of all Americans, and the immediate action of every member of Congress.
The president and key members of his administration have made clear with their threats and actions that they are not just willing but anxious to usurp the U.S. Constitution and equal powers of Congress and the judiciary in what is nothing less than a slow-moving coup against the United States government.
Just a few weeks ago, Trump’s administration began rolling out patently illegal and unconstitutional changes made by presidential fiat.
The list of offenses grows daily, and more shocking in their scope and peril.
Nearly every U.S. modern president has tested the limits of what he can do to further his agenda outside cooperation with Congress. Similarly, presidents routinely fight in the courts to substantiate their overreach.
But no previous U.S. president has so profoundly and provably employed obfuscation, misinformation and outright lies as a regular and daily matter of political course.
At the end of the week, Trump’s newly approved attorney general, Pam Bondi — who, as have all Trump cabinet members and appointees, sworn absolute allegiance to Trump, not the United States — ordered Republican prosecutors to drop all criminal charges against Democratic New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Adams was indicted by a New York grand jury for a long list of campaign and fraud crimes. Much of the compelling evidence has long been made public.
In letters among acting Trump justice officials and the prosecutors on the Adams case, the Trump administration admitted they wanted the charges against Adams dropped as a quid pro quo so Adams would work Trump on allowing for ICE raids to round up immigrants in New York City.
The chief prosecutor and other Republican prosecutors on the team were outraged by the corrupt demand, writing scathing letters made public about how outlandish and depraved Trump’s demand was.
“Because the law does not support a dismissal, and because I am confident that Adams has committed the crimes with which he is charged, I cannot agree to seek a dismissal driven by improper considerations,” Chief Prosecutor Danielle R. Sassoon said in her letter to Bondi.
Rather than tap-dance around such glaring politicization of the justice system and being outed for corruption by fellow Republicans, the Trump administration essentially said that’s the way of the American government going forward.
By the weekend, the White House had blocked Associated Press reporters from covering Trump at official events and barred credentialed reporters from boarding the presidential airplane on Friday for coverage.
The reason? The Associated Press style ruling dictates that in reference to the Gulf of Mexico, the AP will refer to it as “the Gulf of Mexico” and tell the reader Trump insists it’s called “the Gulf of America.”
The AP, as well as officials from some of the largest news organizations in the country, said Trump’s stunt was a direct affront to the First Amendment, ensuring a free and unfettered press.
Trump Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich said in a statement that the AP “continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America. This decision is not just divisive, but it also exposes The Associated Press’ commitment to misinformation.”
Clearly, an administration that would work to keep the largest producer of vetted White House news in the world from covering a president and administration that is infamous for lying, obfuscation and skulduggery — on such a petty and irrelevant claim — cannot be trusted to abide by norms and laws to ensure transparency and accountability to the American people.
All this follows days of chaos Trump created by firing, un-firing, re-firing and re-hiring hundreds of thousands of federal workers in a botched attempt to reduce the size of government and end wasteful federal spending without research or thought.
I don’t know a single person, and certainly not a single Democratic or Republican lawmaker, who doesn’t earnestly want to cut out wasteful government spending and either return dollars to taxpayers or at least get more from the government from our money.
But Trump and his acolytes are the only ones who believe they, alone, should decide what’s waste, and refashion government and spending. Under the Constitution, and eons of case law, that’s solely the role of Congress, which are representatives of the people, not Trump.
In a phone call with Colorado media Thursday, Democratic Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet talked about his frustration, and fears, as Trump rolled out wave after wave of chaotic orders, of which are estimated to cost Colorado more than a half-billion dollars in critical programs statewide almost immediately.
Reporters from southwest Colorado and other rural areas pressed Bennet for details on what looks like a bankrupt farm bill and other measures pushed by Trump that threaten farmers’ very existence.
Others pressed Bennet for details about the impact of cuts and freezes on health care, water and even wildfire control programs that are threatened by Trump’s capricious and ill-conceived stunts with “tech bro” Elon Musk.
Nobody knows anything for sure right now, Bennet said. Too much is happening behind closed doors and without explanation.
My question was what Bennet and his Senate colleagues, both Democrat and Republican, planned to do — when, not if — Trump disregarded the law and Constitution and outright defied U.S. court orders, including those from the Supreme Court.
“I have had discussions with colleagues about it,” Bennet said. “and I think we, I think that we’re all cognizant of that possibility, and we’ll, we’re going to have to see what happens, but we are monitoring the situation on a daily basis.”
The situation became even more dire Saturday when Trump took to his social media channels without provocation to ominously proclaim he is above the law.
“He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” Trump said Saturday. It’s unclear whether he even knows that quote has for eons been attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte.
Everyone in the country, elected leaders from both parties, business leaders and city and state legislators, must form a unified caucus to ensure Trump adheres to the Constitution and the law.
Without doubt, fatuous sycophants like Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green will tout and support anything and everything Trump attempts, no matter how deleterious it is for their constituents.
Those Republicans who have already cowered and kowtowed to Trump’s endless threats of political emasculation against any elected Republican who defies him, or even questions him, will be the key to America surviving Trump’s term, as long as it lasts.
Those Republicans who think they have ethical, legal and Democratic limits that Trump simply cannot be allowed to cross have only to remember back to Wyoming GOP star and Congressperson Liz Cheney and Sen. Mitt Romney and even GOP Vice President Mike Pence. Trump proudly and loudly pardoned violent criminal insurrectionists who beat and killed police Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol because the felons were his political fans.
This isn’t a time for all Americans, including Republicans to hope for the best while every warning light on the dashboard is blinking red and we’re four years from the next presidential service station.
All members of Congress and every legislature, county commission and city council must make it unequivocal right now that Trump cannot defy the Constitution, the law nor the courts and remain president. No one can.
Follow @EditorDavePerry on BlueSky, Threads, Mastodon, Twitter and Facebook or reach him at 303-750-7555 or dperry@SentinelColorado.com
You do realize that the majority of Americans soundly rejected your “end of democracy” hysterics just 3 months ago. Thwarting the will of the American people is simply laying the groundwork for your defeat in the next election.
You guys need to mellow out a little. Maybe drink a few dozen beers or something. I don’t want to have to come over there and talk you off the roof. We’ve only had less than one month of the Trump presidency and have over 47 left to go. The way you are going you are going to end up in a padded room under heavy sedation in about 6 months. Chill out!
What a coward you are. Bend your knee to your new god over the cost of eggs.
Don’t bother your pretty head over the slaughter that awaits Ukraine.
Don’t spare a thought over the loss of the Constitution.
You have your god emperor now. I hope it was worth the cost.
All it cost you was your humanity, your principles, your country.
I hope you choke on your eggs. They’ll be cheap enough now. And they only cost you your country, your humanity and your love of country.
LOL, stop. You have no standing whatsoever to appeal to any kind of patriotic feeling. You don’t love this country, you only “love” it when your side is in charge, as evidence by the last several decades of leftist subversion.
It wasn’t the right that met with Castro to figure out how to overthrow the US, after all. That was your allies in the Weather Underground. And since you supported them and their political violence, that means you supported the overthrow of the US.
As your new self-appointed life coach, I forbid you from reading any more of Dave Perry’s editorials, watching any programs on MSNBC, CNN, PBS or any other left-wing news sources, until you calm yourself down and ease up some. We’re going to be just fine. You’ll see.
Uh-huh. Tell me,have you ever read the Constitution?
You wouldn’t like it.
Mein Kampf, on the other hand…
Yes, to marxists, anyone who resists their dumb political theology is a fascist.
And your side doesn’t even like the Constitution. It’s why you call it a “racist document” when you’re not using it as skin suit like you are here.
How is it a coup if he was the person the country elected? Unless….you don’t believe in our democracy…..
It’s a coup when you ignore the Constitution and destroy the country.
And I doubt trashing the Constitution and handing the country over to brainless tech bros and fascists was what the voters had in mind.
Unless, of course, they’re all like you…
Literally nothing you’re screeching about needs to be taken at face value, Jeffy-poo. You and Dave are simply upset that your Leviathan is being picked apart scale by scale.
There’s absolutely no “coup” going on here unless you believe (and we know you do) that the left is entitled to rule for eternity. Because that’s what your stupid political theology demands, not reality.
I blame myself and my Boomer generation for not teaching and emphasizing how important it is to be involved in our communities and our politics. I’m a Democrat but I think both Republicans and Democrats have done a terrible job in motivating voters to get involved.. and here is the result. Both parties have relied on our disinterest so they can do what they want. We need to become active. We can no longer sit at our computers and whine about Trump or Biden . Trump’s actions will harm both Republicans and Democrats. Any small action we take now will change America’s current path. Be a participant, not a spectator.
Please. You’re acting as if your side hasn’t spent the past 50-plus years dialing up political violence and “action” whenever it was deemed necessary. And don’t act like 2020 never happened.
It’s not a “culture war” unless the right decides to fight back against the left. And yours has no answers for running a stable, high-trust society, just the same old “liberating tolerance” that gets in a huff when its thrust back in its own face.
no one was charged or convicted of insurrection, no police officer was killed by the mob. if so then please name them.
The Proud Boys leader and the Oath Keepers leader were both convicted of seditious conspiracy. Do you live under a rock or are you being obtuse on purpose?
1,260 rioters were convicted for their actions, 1,009 of whom pled guilty. (Gee, why would they do that if they were so innocent?) 221 convicted at trial. 140 police officers were injured, some seriously.
How proud you must be!
And of course, your hero was convicted of 34 felony counts (unrelated to January 6), and is himself awaiting sentencing.
Well done, Donald!
I’m sure you were proud when your allies blew up the building twice.
More than any other, this last election shows the necessity of having direct elections rather than an electoral college in the middle.
We now live in a global community and it is no longer feasible for any country to isolate itself or sustain itself. Already those who provide our food are suffering economic loss, those who provide our medicines and treatments through research cannot believe people want that to happen. Children are beginning to experience a measles outbreak in Texas and it will not end there. Disease will spread globally without vaccines and treatment.
The idea that any president can act willfully without the other two branches of government is not constitutional, nor does it ever serve well. Power gained without diplomacy is power over people, not power with and from people.
Except your side lost the popular vote, too, Sharon, even after taking California’s desperate ballot stuffing into account. Wonder where all of those Biden votes went?
We are trying to warn you but typically you do not listen or entertain any ideas but your own. Wait until this “make America great again” hits you or people you love when they get done ripping the government apart and stealing the wealth of the country. Musk make $8 billion a day off of government contracts, a woman on Social Security gets $65 a day. Are you aware of this Douglas and Kirk?
That is the difference between America and communist countries – anyone can become rich here with hard work and enterprise. It is one reason so many want to come to this country. Musk was an immigrant himself. As long as one inherits or earns their wealth legally, I have no envy or ill will toward them. The left promotes hatred of the rich for political purposes. Class warfare is their go-to strategy to help divide us and promote bitterness.
Sounds like the same old passive-aggressive, rejection-obsessed paradigm, Peggy.
I can tell, David, that you are a very disturbed and worried person. Then again, I already knew that. I’m really starting to enjoy your alarm.
100% agree no one can defy the Constitution. That’s precisely why I believe Governor Polis and Denver Mayor Johnston should be indicted for obstruction of Federal immigration laws and for ignoring the Supremacy clause of the Constitution while inciting others to do the same. They’re traitors who belong in federal prison. I believe most voters in November would agree.
100% disagree that the executive branch doesn’t have tremendous authority over department staffing or direct oversight over disbursements. Yes Congress appropriates the money, but the executive branch controls and oversees distribution to make sure its legit. Yes there’s gray areas and conflict but again, the voters in November have spoken on how they want the executive branch to function.
Nowhere has Trump defied the US Supreme Court. Your claims there are simply hyperbolic. You might not like it Dave but the voters have spoken. Trump is now delivering upon the actions he promised. Deal with it.
These are the nonpartisan independent views of someone who voted for neither Trump or Harris.
Jeff, thank you for mentioning Denver Mayor Johnson and Governor Polis. Sometime, in March the Denver Mayor, and three other cities mayors will get their opportunity to defend their legal rational and their cities process of sanctuary city unobstructed privilege. Johnsons, take of the planned policies and their mission of total ICE avoidance. This will include their use of non-profit funding for its own dirty work. Further, with the production of documents requested in their letters you will see. The significant taxpayer grants Denver provided the non-profits with the expectations of re-settling the thousands of illegal immigrants bussed into Denver from Texas. All this, thanks to the intentional and amazing wide-open border–Joe Biden/Harris policy. This hearing should provide the blueprint bridging Denver to the non-profits to the CBZ apartments. These connection points and what damage it created. In the end, Aurora got a big piece of it, and they’re not done with yet. Far from it. (that’s another story) The link attached is for the DC Oversight House Commitee. Links to each of these 4 mayors – the letters sent to the mayors can be found on this sight, as well as the calendar for the meetings. March calendrer is not posted yet; these are public to watch and a good source. Perhaps Dave Perry, will take a breath and watch, and would otherwise benefit for creation of another one of his hard-hitting pieces. Then Dave can produce his version of what he thinks to the conversations Mayor Johnson’s will state for his decisions. How this ICE policy Denver holds onto as its grail so important and healthy for its citizens. Now this bureaucrat is finally becoming publicly accountable. These hearings will be interesting no doubt.
https://oversight.house.gov/release/chairman-comer-launches-investigation-into-sanctuary-cities-invites-mayors-to-testify/
Too many are behaving as if what we’re seeing began with the election of Donald Trump. He has merely thrown off the facade obscuring the cancer that has been eating away at the fairytale view Americans have had for far too long. The groundwork for the destruction of American democracy began decades ago, and both political parties bear equal culpability. Reagan, the Bush family, Clinton, Obama and Biden ALL participated in the unholy alliance of political and corporate power that is now opening like a new species of monstrous flower before our eyes. Oh yes– and we must not forget the U.S. Congress, that Dantesque pit of corruption, bribery, and influence peddling. They’ve been working at this for decades, and the crop is ready for harvest.
We now openly Pledge Allegiance to Tesla, Space X, Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple. We say we’re outraged by Musk’s DOGE invading supposedly secure Federal government departments, but the giant corporations I just mentioned already had the very same personal data on each and every one of us YEARS AGO. They know where we go, what we buy, and who we talk to. We willingly gave them the ability to do this in exchange for that most desirable of American commodities: convenience.
Now they’ve decided that the American economy and working people belong to them to do what they will. Their giant heavy electronic construction buckets will unload billions of dollars from U.S. programs that kept millions of Americans from sinking into developing-world poverty into their own bank accounts. They’ll isolate themselves in their multiple homes, yachts, spacecraft, and golf courses while we fight for whatever is left in our tents and shantytowns. But wait a minute! That’s already happening. Just look around you…
My, my, how the Trumpalos howl with outrage!
Meanwhile, Trump is so competent, he’s having to beg those he fired to come back because he has no one to do their jobs who has the vaguest idea what they’re doing. Like the nuclear weapons folks he fired, because he and Musk had no idea what they did.
Oops.
But don’t worry – I’m sure they aren’t looking at YOUR tax files. I mean, that would be wrong, right?
What a basket of incompetent boobs. Fire the nuclear weapons people because THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THEY DO!
Lol, “I’m not howling, you’re howling!”. Tell us another one, Jeffy-poo.